Suspension Lift voids Insurance!!!!

Try TCIS - they are an insurance broker that specialise in arranging 4wd & camping equipment/trailer insurance. I am insured with Allianz via TCIS and have an agreed value policy that covers me anywhere. The Allianz policy that is offerred via TCIS differs from the Allianz policy offerred directly and allows suspension mods as long as they are listed on the policy. To write a policy via TCIS you need to be a member of a 4wd club or state association.

Give them a call and discuss your options - for me it worked out much the same cost as what AAMI quoted, yet all my mods are covered.

I think you need to be in a club to insure with TCIS.
Shannons is another option- again, I think you need to be in a club, but hey- what do you call EO?

have you tried other companies? I have mine through RAC and you can get a higher sum insured than their limit by getting an inspector out- just call them up and they do the inspection at your place (in WA anyway) Steer clear of market value policies if you want to see any accessories back after a write off though.

Shannons should do it ... they are specialised on enthusiat's vehicles.
Also Swan insurance. Have my Goldwing with them since 8 years and also had a quote for my new truck from Shannons but Lumley (via the CMCA) is cheaper.
The major companies just goe with joe bloe mainstream. anything a little extra is causing problems with them ..
good luck
gmd

Hi Carl & Kaz
I found AAMI to be very helpful with mine. They just want to know what I have done, that is legally registrable. That means whatever the motor registry accepts they accept.

On Patrol

I'm with AAMI and notified them of my lift which although technically is 2" like you is probably more when the vehicle is unladen. The size of the lift is not specifically stated in the policy so I believe they would have to rely on traffic authority regulations which are a bit grey in NSW at the moment.

We also investigate the insurance options for our 80 series as it also has raised suspension and found AAMI was best all round option, funnily enough they weren't so keen to insure going back a few years ago and we went through TCIS.

If you are In a Accident I don’t see the insurance Assessor coming out with a tape measure and a set of verniers and a Toyota Suspension ride height spec book and checking all corners.

When I did mine I told my insurance company and sent them a letter saying I have 2.5-inch Lift on the back and 2-inch on the front using XXX type springs and 31” Tyres they send me back a updated policy with

Vehicle fitted with modified Suspension, Added under the modification section on the policy.

Try DGA insurance, they have no limit on accessories and modifications!!

Good premiums too!

Matt.

If the 50mm limit is to be exceeded
In this case the owner must approach the Vehicle Safety Branch Technical Section for prior
written approval.
Where the 50mm limit is exceeded the modification may still be approved subject to a “Lane
Change Manoeuvre Test”.
This test must be carried out under the direction of an “Engineering Signatory” (see the
Vehicle Safety Branch Information Bulletin IB-102A Engineering Signatories) who is familiar
with the relevant Code Of Practice and the process stipulated by the Vehicle Safety Branch.
The Lane Change Manoeuvre Test
This test procedure is an abridged version of ISO Technical Report 3888 - Road Vehicles -
Test Procedure for a Severe Lane-Change Manoeuvre.
The intent of this testing procedure is to objectively determine the road holding ability and
handling characteristics of vehicles. It is applicable only to vehicles with GVM up to 3.5
tonne.
The procedure consists of driving a vehicle through a set track, which simulates a lanechange
manoeuvre. The vehicle is driven from its initial lane to another lane (parallel to the
initial lane), then returning to the initial lane. The length of the track sections is constant, and
the width is a function of vehicle width.
The lane-change testing must be conducted under the guidance of the Consulting Engineer
with proven experience in the automotive area.
Only skilled drivers who have automotive road testing experience should negotiate the lanechange
test track.
Upon Approval
If the lane-change manoeuvre is satisfactory and the vehicle is examined and deemed safe,
a Modification Permit will be issued for this particular modification. A copy of this Permit
should be kept in the vehicle at all times.
Vehicle Safety Branch
Department for Planning and Infrastructure
21 Murray Road South
WELSHPOOL 6106
Phone 9351 1687 Fax 9351 1699

The lift will be measured the actual height from the centres of the axles to the wheel arches of the standard set up versus the lifted vehicle.

If your XHD springs are a higher rate compression and the vehicle when measured (they are not going to take out the LR and the tow bar and the wheel carrier and the second battery and the bull bar are they?) is 50mm higher, you have 50mm lift.

I know in my case when running tours, I am generally well over GVM but with the XHD springs (in my case King Springs) and XHD shockers it sits about 40mm higher than "standard" and rides real well.

Downside is that when unladen it is stiffly sprung and probably 60mm higher than standard at the rear.

In my case Allianz know that I have modified suspension and are fine with it.

If you have a 50mm lift, it is a 50mm lift - it is not a question of how much longer the springs are.

We were with AMP when I told them we had fitted after market suspension to the Paj to assist in towing our camper. They would have continued the cover but at about 50% more premium. Contacted a few others who would not quote.
TCIS would have but at about the same premium as AMP. Eventually ended up with RACV and no probs.
Just up for renewal again and Shannons will cover us at about the same as RACV (altho a "special price" due to 2 vehicles) while APIA look the best at this stage. No issues with the suspension as they recognise that us (just) over 50's tow stuff.
If you contact Shannons just remember to say Yes when they ask are you an enthusiast. Watch motor racing, work on vehicles etc etc and the Paj club membership certainly covered us.
Rusty

G'Day Karl & Kaz,
thought I had the same problem when I fitted what were supposed to be 50mm springs to my Patrol.

Ended up being 60mm at the front and 75mm at the rear.

Was worried about insureance until I compared mine with a mates standard Patrol.

Turns out they really are only 50mm, the difference is that my original springs had sagged so much they made a bigger difference when changed.

Told insurance about 50mm and no problems.

Have you tried comparing your vehicle to a newer standard vehicle?

Regards

Rolande

try searching this has been discussed for years. No newsflash.